Previews

The Matrix: Path of Neo

More special effects help re-create the look of the films. "Code Vision" helps create the look of the Matrix through Neo's eyes. You know, where everything is transparent with the green code running down the surface of everything like digital rain. This effect came across really well in the game. There is also a 3D distortion ripple that helps re-create the warping effect seen when Neo takes off in flight. It's pretty slick looking.

Perhaps the biggest technical challenge in the game, however, was properly re-creating Neo's battle against legions of Agent Smiths. The initial tests of this fight had "The One" facing off against 60 Agents. This simply just wasn't enough for Shiny. The company's talented programmers continued working on it, and boosted that total to a very impressive 750 Agent Smiths. Not too shabby, right? Well, they didn't stop there. We saw a demo running on the PS2 that featured a whopping, and we kid you not, 1,500 Agent Smiths dancing around on screen at once. That's ONE THOUSAND, FIVE HUNDRED, people. All at once. We have a feeling that this'll be one long boss fight. Luckily, thanks to the game's fighting system, you can use the controller's right analog stick to direct your attacks in any direction, allowing you to take out foes that come at you from anywhere.

Admitted, Enter the Matrix wasn't the best game out there, but it seems as though Shiny has really listened to the many criticisms that the game received. Path of Neo no only delivers what Matrix fans wanted (that is, to take control of Keanu himself), but the company seems to be taking great care to make this game a faithful extension of its source material.